State laws / Vermont
Vermont tax sales: liens, deeds, rates & redemption
Quick answerVermont sells redeemable tax deeds for unpaid property taxes. Lien buyers can earn 12% per year (1% per month or fraction thereof) on the sum for which the land was sold, from the day of sale to redemption (32 V.S.A. § 5260). Redemption: 1 year from the day of sale (32 V.S.A. § 5260); if not redeemed, the collector executes a tax collector's deed to the purchaser (§ 5261) Sales: Set by each town/city collector as needed, year-round — there is no county or statewide sale date; a sale may be held only after the tax is delinquent for more than 1 year and at least $1,500 is owed (§ 5252) Governing law: 32 V.S.A. Chapter 133, Subchapter 2 (esp. §§ 5252, 5258, 5260–5261).
Where to bid: mostly in-person — public auction in the town where the land lies, noticed in a local newspaper and posted in a public placemunicipality-specific, no statewide online platform
| What is sold | Redeemable tax deeds |
|---|---|
| Interest / penalty | 12% per year (1% per month or fraction thereof) on the sum for which the land was sold, from the day of sale to redemption (32 V.S.A. § 5260) |
| Redemption period | 1 year from the day of sale (32 V.S.A. § 5260); if not redeemed, the collector executes a tax collector's deed to the purchaser (§ 5261) |
| When sales happen | Set by each town/city collector as needed, year-round — there is no county or statewide sale date; a sale may be held only after the tax is delinquent for more than 1 year and at least $1,500 is owed (§ 5252) |
| Governing law | 32 V.S.A. Chapter 133, Subchapter 2 (esp. §§ 5252, 5258, 5260–5261) |
| Investor notes | Vermont is extremely fragmented — 251 towns/cities run their own sales, bidding is on price (highest bid), not on interest, and the deed is withheld during the 1-year redemption period. Excess of the purchase price over taxes, interest and costs is held for the former owner. |
Sources
- https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/32/133/05252
- https://taxlien.io/rankings/
- https://pomfretvt.us/~pomfretv/files/8016/8075/4269/Town_of_Pomfret_Delinquent_Tax_Policy_as_approved_2023-04-05.pdf
Law verified 2026-10-30 against the sources above. Confirm current details with the county tax collector / clerk before bidding — counties can change dates and procedures.
Go deeper: all Vermont counties · Vermont sale calendar · Vermont investing guide